RANK #848 / 996 · POP 168,309 · VT
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.0%
Burlington, the largest city in Vermont and the county seat, anchors Chittenden County, situated in northwestern Vermont between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. The county is Vermont's most populous, home to over a quarter of the state's residents. Commuting within the county is facilitated by Green Mountain Transit, offering bus services, and carpooling options are encouraged. The community offers access to outdoor recreation, including hiking and biking trails like the Island Line Trail, and winter sports at Bolton Valley and Cochran's Ski Area. Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, is also located within the county.
Chittenden County offers a quality of life recognized for its natural beauty and community focus. The economy is diversified, with significant employment in healthcare, education, and retail. The University of Vermont and the UVM Medical Center are major institutions and employers in the area. Recent economic developments include ongoing housing projects in Burlington and Winooski, aiming to address housing shortages, though rising costs remain a factor. The county's public schools are highly rated, and towns like South Burlington, Essex, and Williston are noted for their schools and family-friendly amenities.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Chittenden County has a Boom Town Index score of 15/100, ranking #848 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.1% and a median household income of $89,494, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Chittenden County is $378,300 with median rent at $1,511/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2366, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.1%. Home values changed +0.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.1% of Chittenden County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.